Matt Nielsen named San Antonio Spurs assistant coach

Former Perth Wildcats lead assistant coach Matt Nielsen has been named assistant coach of the NBA's San Antonio Spurs.

Nielsen spent last season as head coach of the Austin Spurs, San Antonio’s official NBA G League affiliate.

He led Austin to a 10-5 record and a spot in the 2021 G League Playoffs.

Nielsen spent 2019/20 as an assistant coach in Austin and began his coaching career in San Antonio, serving as a player development assistant during the 2014/15 season.

In addition, he was an assistant coach with the Spurs summer league team from 2014 to 2019. 

Neilsen returned to Perth briefly following the Tokyo Olympics and spoke to Wildcats Media about his coaching journey, which began in Perth back in 2013.

"I came down here, it was great group of guys and a coaching staff to be a part of. I took it all in and helped out every now and then, watching the Wildcats in full flight was good, so by the end of that season I realised I definitely wanted to get into coaching," he said.

After a season in a development coaching role at San Antonio in 2014/15, Nielsen returned to Perth as the Wildcats lead assistant coach, helping guide the team to three titles between 2015 and 2019.

"I'll be forever grateful for the four years I spent here the expereinces I had working with the front office, the coaching staff and the players. It was just fantastic."

Matt Nielsen joins Becky Hammon and Mitch Johnson on legendary head coach Gregg Popovich’s staff at the Spurs.

Congratulations, Matt Nielsen!